What is a Skinner box used for?

A Skinner box, also known as an operant conditioning chamber, is designed specifically to condition animals through the use of rewards and punishments. In this controlled environment, an animal such as a rat or pigeon can perform specific behaviors, such as pressing a lever or pecking a disk, in order to receive a reward, typically food. Conversely, the box can also be set up to deliver a mild punishment, such as a light shock, when the animal engages in undesired behaviors. The design allows researchers to systematically study the principles of operant conditioning, illustrating how behavior can be shaped and maintained through reinforcement (positive or negative) and punishment.

Using a Skinner box provides a clearer understanding of behavior modification processes in a controlled setting, showing how certain behaviors increase or decrease based on the consequences that follow. This is pivotal in the study of behavioral psychology, as it experimentally demonstrates key concepts laid out by B.F. Skinner regarding operant conditioning.